On September 5, 2021, His Holiness Patriarch Porfiry of Serbia solemnly elevated His Eminence Metropolitan Ioanniky of the Montenegrin-Maritime Metropolitans to the throne of the Montenegrin-Maritime Metropolitans, whom the Council of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church elected at this May meeting to be the successor of the Blessed Reverend Amphilia. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

A delegation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, consisting of the Administrator of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, and Metropolitan Sergius of Ternopil and Kremenets, took part in the celebrations.

The ceremony of enthronement of the newly elected Metropolitan Ioannikiy took place in the Cetinje Monastery after the Divine Liturgy, which was led by His Holiness Patriarch Porfiry of Serbia, co-served by the newly elected Metropolitan of Montenegro and Primorsk Ioanikiy, a member of the Holy Synod of the SOC, Bishop of Krushevsky priesthood and priest David, David.

In the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. Podgorica also hosted a solemn Divine Liturgy, which was led by the hierarch of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, Archbishop Macarius of Qatar, who was co-served by the hierarchs of local churches and a delegation of the UOC.

After the Divine Liturgy, the solemn meeting of His Holiness Patriarch Porfiry of Serbia and Metropolitan Ioannikiy of Montenegro and Primorsky took place in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ.

The guests from the Local Orthodox Churches congratulated Metropolitan Ioannikiy on his enthronement to the Throne of St. Peter of Cetinje. On behalf of His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine Onuphriy, the Administrator of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, read congratulations.

Metropolitan Anthony presented the new Metropolitan of Montenegro and Primorsky Ioanniki with the Bishop’s staff, Metropolitan Sergius – a copy of the Pochaev miraculous icon of the Mother of God.